Premise Unhappy Beast sets out to involve the shining soul of Beauty in his spiritual rebirth . . .

The BookChloe Lambert is used to men looking at her twice, but for all the wrong reasons - they cannot believe how ugly she is. Her initial encounter with ParkDelafield leaves her with no grounds to suspect he is any different; his first words in her hearing constitute a slur on her appearance.

For Park, spiritual bankrupt with the perfect looks, only beautiful women count until - in a pub - he insults Chloe, a stranger, and the most ill-favoured female he has ever seen. He is struck down by Eddie, her friend and protector.

Park, on his knees, perceives in an epiphany that solely with the help of the woman he has outraged can he find deliverance from nihilism and self-regard. He resolves to win Chloe but she, bewildered by his attentions and repelled by his egotism, wants no part in his quest. Only his persistence and her own curiosity about his motives lessen her distrust of his sincerity.

Warily, she allows him into her life, thus initiating trajectories of self-discovery, commitment, and betrayal along which all concerned - including tormented, Park obsessed, Miriam - hazard toward nemesis . . . or redemption.